Saturday, July 29

A moving, powerful address an IDF Golani Brigade commander, Cap. Uri Lavie to his troops before going into battle against Hizbullah:

"This is our time to rise to the challenge, put on the helmets and the bullet proof vests and make sure that the northern border is secure.

We shall fulfill any mission in a most effective manner, in face of any challenge.

If we shall not fulfill our mission we shall forfeit the right to exist.

We shall not lose this war, which we did not start.

Our duty is to serve as a defense force of the Jewish People, and to secure the peace of mind of the civilians in northern Israel.

If we shall not do it, no one will do it in our place.

For two thousand years we waited for the establishment of the Jewish State, and we are not going to roll back because a bunch of terrorists assume that they can scare us.

He who cannot defend Liberty does not deserve Liberty.

If we will not be able to fight until our last drop of blood, in order to secure the Liberty of our People on its own soil, our People will not enjoy Liberty.

There is time to talk and there is time to act. At this time, when missiles and Katyushas afflict the North all the way to Haifa, in addition to the two kidnapped soldiers, the ten soldiers killed and the dozens injured, it is time to fight and not to talk. We are the force, which has been chosen to fight, and we shall perform in the most effective manner.

I will be the first one to enter the battle and the last one to come out, and will do everything in my power to get you out alive and well. On Friday, with G-D's help, we will rejoin with our families. However, I cannot do it alone. Once we cross the northern border, you should exercise full alert and full responsibility toward your fellow soldier." (Ha'aretz, July 27, 2006)

One of the great things about the blogosphere is the ability to connect with people in parts of the world where news is breaking. All of us now have access to the so-called ‘man on the street’ and it is great to get that perspective, which is often very different from what you see in the MSM.

We saw that firsthand last Sunday on Pundit Review Radio when we spoke live with Jerusalem-based video/photojournalist and blogger Dave Bender who operates Israel at Level Ground. Dave had some very compelling, thoughtful things to say about the situation in Israel, its impact on Lebanon and his family. You can listen to that interview by clicking here.

We plan on speaking with other bloggers in the Middle East in the coming weeks, and have sent out some feelers to Beirut-based blogs. More details as they solidify. This is the future of media.

Search:

Web

Israel At Level Ground

About me:

I have extensive experience as a reporter/producer/editor, both in the United States as a bureau chief and reporter, and in the Middle East as a bureau chief/correspondent/reporter for international radio, tv, print and online news media.
Specialties: Radio spot news and features, tv news cameraman and production, photography, editing and reportage; news and current affairs website management, voice talent, translator.
More here: http://www.davidbrianbender.com